Opening and closing device for box-car doors



y 1929. w. J. SCANTLIN 1,714,632

OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE FOR BOX CAR DOORS Filed Aug. 4, 1926 2Sheets-Sheet l Inventor y 1929- w. J. SCAN'VILIN 4,632

OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE FOR BOX GAR DOORS Filed A1134, 1926 vZSheets-Shest 2 4 d/ Y Y N lnvemjor 4 JLSC'QNZZUV,

Patented May 28, .1929.

Unites stares enema earns-r err-res,

ILLIAM J. SCANTLIN, or PRATT, KANSAS, Assmnon or *ronrr ran onivr TOrennin DICKINSON,

EBATT, KANSAS.

OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE FOR BOX-CAP, DOORS.

Application filed. August 4, 1926. Serial No; 127,053.

This invention relates to closure operators and has more particularreference to a means for facilitating the openirg and closing of box cardoors, the primary object of the invention residing in the provision ofa means whereby jammed or wedged car doors may be readily moved to openor closed position without the aid of crow bars or othertools resultingin the damaging of the sheeting of the box cars.

A further and important object of the invention resides in the provisionof a device for facilitating the opening and closing of box car doorsthat is relatively simple of construction and of such a nature as to bequickly disposed in position for operation and to permit the opening andclosing of the doors by a single workman.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character that isreadily adaptable for either the opening or closing of a box car, andthis without requiring any unusual skill upon the part of the operator.

Other objects will become apparent the nature of the invention is betterunderstood, the same comprising the novel form, combination, andarrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in theaccompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a box car and its door whichis in open position, the present invention being disposed forfacilitating the closing of the door.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal section taken above thedevice disclosed in Figure 1 for illustrating the same in fragmentarytop plan,

Figure 3 is a similar view for disclosing the door attached structure ofthe device, and

Figure 4 is a reduced side elevation similar to Fig. 1 disclosing thedevice installed for facilitating the opening of the car door.

Now having particular reference to the drawings, 5 indicates one sidewall of a box car having a door opening 6, and a closure door 7therefor. The present invention constitutes the provision of arelatively small Windlass designated generally by the refer- .encecharacter 8. This Windlass preferably consists of an open rectangularframe 9 journaled transversely across which at one end thereof is a pairof spaced parallel chain lengths 15 shafts 10 and '11. Keyed upon theouter-projecting end of the shaft 10 is a relatively large spur, gear 12while keyed upon the adjacent projecting end of the shaft 11 is arelatively smaller spur gear 13 in mesh with said gear; 12. This shaft11 outwardly of the gear 13 is provided with a crank handle 14: tofacilitate the rotation thereof.

Secured to-and extending from one end of the frame 9 of the Windlass 8is a pair of 15 that are interconnected at their outer ends by aringmember 16, to which ring member is attached a substantially J-shapedmetallic hook 17 for hooking engagement with the door stop bar A of thecar.

The invention further constitutes the provision of a relativelyelongated metallic bar 18 to the opposite ends of which are rigidlyconnected a pair of metallic U-clamps 1919 forengagement overthe edge ofthe door 7 as clearly disclosed in both Figures 1 and 3. Attached to theinner surfaces of the sides of the clamps 1-9 are spring strips 20-2Ofor frictionally engaging the opposite surfaces of the door 7 forpreventing the clamps from dropping downwardly upon the door.

Secured to the outer side of the clamps 19-19 are certain ends of chainlengths 12-21 that are interconnected at their opposite ends by a ring22 to which is also secured a cable pulley 23.

Secured at one end to the Windlass frame 9 is a predetermined lengthenedcable 24 that extends through an opening at its opposite end within theforward end of the Windlass frame after which the same is attached atsaid opposite end to the adjacent shaft 10 of the Windlass.

The cable 2% is trained around the pulley 28 and obviously when the door7 is in open position and the device applied as more clearly disclosedin Figure 1, a turning of the hand crank 14 will cause the rotation ofthe shaft lO, which in turn will wind the the door adjacent the stop A.An endless chain length 25 is then attached to the previously mentionedJ-shaped hook l7 and the central metallic door stop B, a number of whichare anchored to the sidewall of the car in spaced relation with the doorWhile being open. The crank handle 14 is then rotated for Winding thecable 2 L upon the shaft which obviously forcibly moves the door 7 toopen position.

it will thus be seen that I have provided a highly novel, simple, andeflicient form of device for facilitating the opening and closing of boxcar doors that is well adapted for all the purposes heretoforedesignated, even though Ihave herein shown and described the inventionas consisting of certain detail structural elements it is neverthelessunderstood that certain changes may be made Without affecting the spiritand scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is In a device for actuating sliding doors, apulling means, an additional means operatively connected to said pullingmeans and adapted for detachable engagement over the edge of the doorremote from said pulling means, said last mentioned 'means including avertically disposed bar member, and U-shaped clamps carried by the barmember and engaged over said door edge, spring strips secured to theinner opposed sides of said U-shaped clamps for frictionally engagingthe opposite surfaces of the door to prevent the sliding; movement ofthe bar mem- Y her and said clamps along the edge of the door. I v

In testlmony whereof I afiiX my signature.

WILLIAM J. SCANTLIN.

